Hearts That Burn

Day 119: Luke 24:13-53

“They said to each other, ‘Did not our hearts burn within us while he talked to us on the road, while he opened to us the Scriptures?”' - Luke 24:32 ESV

These two on the road to Emmaus had a unique post-resurrection experience with Jesus. Not only were they allowed to spend a considerable amount of time with Him, but they also didn't realize who He was until the end of the conversation.

We don't really know why they didn't recognize Jesus. Could it be that his resurrected body had a different appearance? Did God prevent their eyes from seeing who He really was? At any rate, the tell was in the way He broke the bread. Perhaps they noticed the scars on his wrists.

Have you ever heard someone talking about the Bible in such a way that you became sleepy? No passion. No deep belief. No conviction. Perhaps it seems tired in a way.

Then there are those who, after speaking with them about the Bible, we are immediately motivated to run and feast upon the Word of God with more attentiveness.

Hearing Jesus speak about the Hebrew Bible caused their hearts to burn (literally to ignite). This is the kind of encounter that leaves us permanently changed.

May we extend the flame of passion for God's word today.

"The recognition that it was the Lord with whom they had walked explained to them what had happened on the journey. They remembered how their hearts had burnt within them. Clearly Jesus’ exposition had stirred them deeply. They speak of him as ‘opening’ the scriptures: when he spoke the meaning hidden in the words of the Bible became clear.” - Morris, L. (1988). Luke: An Introduction and Commentary (Vol. 3, p. 359)